The Buzz: Ohio State’s Achilles’ heel this season has been its defense, with the Buckeyes giving up big play after big play and ranking No. 68 nationally in total defense. That’s the worst ranking among the top 10 teams in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is one of just three active coaches (Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney) with multiple wins against teams coached by Urban Meyer, earning two wins against Ohio State in 2013 and 2015.

The Buzz: Oklahoma has owned the Bedlam Series recently, winning three straight and five of the past six games in this rivalry series. Oklahoma State’s last-second loss to Baylor last week snapped a streak of three consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins for the Cowboys. The last time OSU lost at least four games in a season was in 2014 (7-6). Since making a change at defensive coordinator, the Sooners have given up an average of 330 yards per game during wins over TCU, Kansas State and Texas Tech.

The Buzz: Alabama and Georgia have taken all of the mystery out of the race for the SEC crown, wrapping up division titles last week. After defeating No. 3 LSU 29-0, it’s easy to see why the Alabama is such an overwhelming favorite at home this weekend. Mississippi State comes into this one allowing the fewest touchdowns in the nation (9) while giving up just 12.3 points per game. Meanwhile, this is the fourth consecutive conference game against a ranked opponent for the Bulldogs, who have already beaten Auburn and Texas A&M. They lost to LSU.

The Buzz: Washington State represents the best hope for a Pac-12 team to qualify for a spot in one of the two College Football Playoff semifinals. The Cougars are looking to improve to 9-1 for the first time since 2002 and are among a trio of teams still vying for a shot for at the North Division title along with Washington and Oregon. Colorado was once a strong contender for the Pac-12 South crown after starting the year 5-0, but since then the Buffaloes have been in a tailspin, losing their last four games.

The Buzz: Clemson can wrap up its fourth straight Atlantic Division title Saturday with a win over Boston College in Chestnut Hill, clinching a spot in the ACC Championship Game for the Tigers. This marks the first time a ranked Boston College team has hosted another ranked team at Alumni Stadium since the then-No. 21 Eagles knocked off No. 22 Maryland on Nov. 18, 2006. Unfortunately, the program is just 2-29 all-time against teams ranked in the top five, including a 0-12 mark at home.

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